Management of diabetes when comorbid with dementia

Dementia is a syndrome caused by progressive neurological conditions. The majority of people will be diagnosed with late-onset dementia and will be over the age of 65 years, though a significant number may also be diagnosed before this age, termed young-onset dementia. People with dementia, especially late-onset, are more likely to have other comorbid conditions, and often multiple health conditions, more so in number than age-equivalent populations without dementia. One of the common comorbid conditions experienced by people with dementia is diabetes, which may have been present before any diagnosis of dementia is made, or onset may also be after the person's diagnosis of dementia. The ongoing management of diabetes as a person's dementia progresses can often raise significant anxiety in both health and care professionals and family carers alike. This article discusses some of the issues to consider in the management of diabetes in a person with dementia.